Report of the Pilot Study:

The recent increase in type 2 diabetes is likely due to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity, which heightens the risk of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led intervention (NLI) strategies on weight reduction among adults in urban Puducherry. A two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled study was conducted with 88 obese adults from Nesavalar colony and Govindanpet between November 2022 and February 2023. Participants were randomized into either the NLI or general care (GC) arm. Interviews were conducted to gather demographic and behavioral risk factor data, and physical and biochemical measurements were taken following standardized procedures. Villages were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group using Excel. The NLI group received nurse-led interventions, including Surya Namaskar yoga, while the GC group received standard care. At 16 weeks, the NLI arm showed a significant mean weight loss of -2.58 kg, compared to a 0.38 kg gain in the GC arm, with improvements in waist circumference, body mass index, cholesterol profile, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. The study demonstrated that nurse-led interventions effectively reduced weight and the risk of non-communicable diseases in urban Puducherry, though a more extensive follow-up plan and additional manpower will be necessary for larger studies. 

Summary of the Main Study:

Participants were interviewed to gather demographic information and assess behavioral risk factors, including diet and physical activity. Physical measurements such as height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were taken following standardized procedures. Biochemical measurements involved blood sample collection after overnight fasting to analyze fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and thyroid profile. Villages were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group using Excel, ensuring equal distribution. No allocation concealment was used since the intervention was applied simultaneously across villages, reducing selection bias. Blinding was not implemented due to the primary investigator’s involvement in both intervention delivery and baseline assessments; however, outcome assessments were conducted by independent nurses who were blinded to group assignments. The intervention group received nurse-led interventions, including sessions on Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) yoga, while the control group received standard care. After 12 months, participants’ weight reduction was reassessed and compared with baseline data, and health workers in the control group were subsequently educated using the nurse-led intervention package. COVID-19 precautions were implemented to prevent transmission, particularly in containment zones.